Toxic Talk Tuesday: Spring Cleaning

Join my husband Chris and me today on Chris Fabry Live! for our Toxic Talk Tuesday: Spring Cleaning Edition! What are some natural, chemical-free ways to clean your home? Can a clean home really make a difference in your family's health? What are the Dustbusting Dozen? We'll answer those questions and a few more from our listeners, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Central time. Tune in live to Moody Radio, or visit the Chris Fabry Live! website to listen via audio stream or podcast!

For the tips we'll be discussing and to download our Dustbusting Dozen checklist, see our Guidelines for Spring Cleaning at the momsAWARE website.

Read More...

Window Games

Every Saturday we spend two hours cleaning. This saves me the need to clean during the week. It also keeps the kids involved. When our 14-year-old daughter suggested we do a cleaning competition, I jumped at the chance to make our semi-annual window cleaning chore a contest. I sent out this email three days prior:

This Saturday will be our first-ever Fabry family window cleaning competition. Each of you will be assigned 1-2 windows and our unbiased judge (Dad) will choose the cleanest window. A prize will be awarded to the cleaner of the cleanest window. In a separate and secret email I will let you know which window(s) you are cleaning.

Thank you in advance for your participation.
The Cleaning Coordinator

We had five competitors. Supplied with their own rags, paper towels, folding chairs, and white vinegar spray bottles, the competitors had 45 minutes to make their windows sparkle. The judge willingly went into seclusion in his office, and the Cleaning Coordinator announced, "Let the Games begin!"

We gave our competitors an extra five minutes and then watched as our esteemed judge took careful notes, examining each casing and pane.

To the dismay of four of the participants and the elation of one (dealing with the dismayed participants is exactly why the Cleaning Coordinator chose Dad as the judge), the kitchen window was awarded Cleanest Window. When asked for the secret to his success, Colin described his technique of scrubbing and spraying small parts of the window rather than spraying the whole window and then wiping. "Keep scrubbing and spraying," he advises all future window cleaners.

Not bad advice from the winner of the Window Games.

Read More...

Goal #3: Natto

As I continue making my way through my 12 goals for the year, I have now completed one of my most daunting: natto.

Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans, using the culture bacillus subtilis. It is a popular breakfast food. (After tasting it, I'm not sure why.)

Natto is the only way I will integrate soy into my family's diet, for two reasons:

1. Ninety-four percent of soy in this country has been genetically modified. USDA's Economic Research Service offers this graph showing the incredible rise in GMO production since 1996.
2. Soy in its unfermented state contains phytoestrogens, trypsin inhibitors, and phytic acid. For an excellent explanation of the dangers of soy, see the Weston A. Price Foundation's article Confused About Soy?—Soy Dangers Summarized.

I purchased my natto starter from GEM cultures and the organic soybeans from Azure Standard. I used the recipe found on the website Cultures for Health.

I followed the directions carefully (something that does not come easily for me), and I'm glad I did. I knew to expect the "unusual" smell, as well as the white strands—as pictured in my first batch:

Because of the fermentation, natto can be stored for many weeks in the refrigerator, and even longer in the freezer. So far I have spiced it with turmeric and cumin and plan to incorporate it into our next Mexican dish.

I can tell the food is a boost to our digestive systems. As for the "acquired taste". . . time will tell!

Read More...

Chemical-Free by Christmas

Taking the chemicals out of our lives has been one of the most difficult yet rewarding aspects of our family's journey. Difficult, because we learned the hard way that chemicals "hide" in products. (The term "fragrance" on an ingredient list doesn't mean one chemical; it involves a complex mixture of dozens of chemicals. Even products marketed as fragrance-free or unscented often contain a masking chemical of some kind.) Rewarding, because we have discovered so many simpler and safer ways to live.

Altering our diet in light of our health challenges has been even tougher. Transitioning from a sugar-laden diet based on convenience to one of nutrient-dense food that requires preparation time and extra energy has been an uphill battle. The rewards, however, are just as real as the food we're now eating.

The biggest frustration has been accepting the fact that we can't make these changes all at once. I spent two years feeling overwhelmed as I tried to learn new ways to cook. I didn't even know where to begin when it came to cleaning products.

In light of this daunting journey, momsAWARE has developed a 10-month program called The Natural Year Challenge. It's an opportunity to integrate healthier products and foods into your life at a pace that is manageable.

We are currently learning to make our own laundry soap in Month Two of the Household Challenge. Last month we located and purchased five basic ingredients for making our own household cleaning products.

In this month's Food Challenge, we're learning to make a nutritious meat stock. Our focus is the use of an organic, free-range chicken like the one depicted here.

(Introducing Just Sayin', an organic cartoon series featuring

the artistic talents of Ryan Fabry and the creative mind of Chris Fabry!)

Change is never easy. But when it's healthy change, it can be well worth the extra time and energy.

If you would like to join us for the Challenges, we'd love to have you! Just stop by the momsAWARE website to get started. Feel free to go at your own pace or follow along with us for the next eight months. You may be amazed to find yourself chemical-free by Christmas!

Read More...

Guidelines for Buying a Home

What should we look for when buying or renting a home? How can we choose a safe environment and avoid hazardous water damage that can lead to serious health issues? The following 10 guidelines are based in part on the book The Homeowner's Guide to Mold by Michael Pugliese.

1. Look for a low permeability rating (minimal chance of unwanted moisture entering the home). The building lot should have a high enough water table and be away from underground springs. The slope of the land is a key factor to avoid water running toward the house.
2. Check crawl spaces to make sure there is no moisture. Crawl spaces tend to be damp and are therefore a challenge for mold avoidance.
3. Does this home have a basement? Is it finished or unfinished? If it is unfinished, make sure the dirt is dry. Consider adding a vapor barrier before finishing. If it is finished, look for history of water damage. Carpeting is a potential problem.
4. Check the drainage of the home. The roof should have overhangs to help carry drainage farther away from the structure. Check the flashing (a thin sheet used to prevent water intrusion). Improper flashing is a common cause of roof leaks. Ask about any history of roof leaks. Shingles at the eaves should project beyond the edge of the roof framing. Check gutters and downspouts to see that they are properly installed.
   
   After your move, consider adding inexpensive splash blocks to help carry water away from the home.
   
   
   
5. Be sure wood siding stops well above the ground to avoid stain and rot.
6. Make sure windows are installed right side up so the weep holes drain properly.
7. Avoid central humidification systems, if possible.
8. Check to see that drip pans for cooling coils are draining properly.
9. Check the locations of the closets. If a closet runs along an outside wall, the cold wall can meet the heated inside air and form condensation. Good quality construction will allow for proper insulation of these closets.
10. If the home appears safe and has no history of water damage, consider testing the home:
• An ERMI mold test can rule out the presence of toxic mold. This can be done by vacuuming a sample of dust and submitting it to a lab for analysis. It is important to rule out the presence of stachybotrys and other toxic molds. If you have experienced a prior mold exposure, look for a home with an ERMI value of 2 or less.
• A thermal inspection of the home can reveal hidden moisture. To learn more about thermal imaging, visit the Thermal Moisture Imaging website.

Following these guidelines can prevent health issues and financial loss. Consider the health of the family currently residing in the home. Listen to your gut instinct overall. Choosing your next living environment wisely has the potential to benefit you and your family's health for years to come.

Read More...